Read In Death 17 - Imitation in Death for Free Online Page B

you talking about? That's just silly." Obviously incensed, the blonde danced on her four-inch platforms that had her impressive breasts bobbing like soccer balls. "You can't do something like that."
     
     
"Oh, I bet I can. And you know what happens sometimes, on an Illegals sweep? It leaks to the media. Especially when there's a celebrity type involved. I bet Ms. Franklin's going to be a little annoyed about that."
     
     
"If you think you can intimidate me into-"
     
     
"Illegals team will be here within thirty, Lieutenant." Peabody tried her cold cop voice. She'd been practicing. "You're authorized to lock down the building."
     
     
"Thank you, Officer. That was quick work. With me."
     
     
"What?' The blonde clattered after her as Eve strode out of the office. "Where are you going? What are you doing?'
     
     
"Im going to lock down. Once a sweep's been authorized, no one is allowed to enter or leave the premises."
     
     
"You can't- Don't." She grabbed Eve's arm.
     
     
"Oh-oh?" Eve paused enough to look at the lily-white hand with its baby pink nails that clutched her sleeve. "That might be construed as assaulting an officer, and an attempt to obstruct a police investigation. Since you seem a little dim to me,, I'll just cuff you instead of knocking you on your ass, then cuffing you."
     
     
"I wasn't!" The blonde dropped Eve's arm as if it had burst into flame, and scrambled back. "I didn't! Oh, damn it, okay, okay, o-kay! I'll tell Leo."
     
     
"Hmm. You know, Peabody." Eve took another testing sniff of air. "I don't think that's Zoner after all."
     
     
"I think you're right, Lieutenant. I think it's gardenia." Peabody let the grin spread as the blonde rushed back into the office. "She must be dim if she thinks you can call for a sweep that way."
     
     
"Dim or guilty. Bet she's got a little goodie stash in here. Who did you call?" Eve asked.
     
     
"Weather. It's hot, and it's going to stay hot. In case you wondered."
     
     
Chin up, the blonde stepped out again, and announced in her best lisp, "Mr. Fortney will see you now."
     
     
Eve followed in the wake of the woman's intense dislike.
     
     
Fortney was set up in one of the five office suites. The area appeared to have been decorated by the color-blind or the-insane ---possibly both as even Eve's casual sense of style was bombarded with the clashing colors and patterns that dominated walls, floors, ceiling.
     
     
Fortney's space had taken it one step further by adding animal prints that ran rampant over the walls in a jungle madness of leopard spots, tiger stripes, and splotches of unknown wildlife. Clear tables fashioned of glossy plates atop oddly phallic columns were used as accents.
     
     
His desk was a larger version of the tables, with the penislike columns painted a virulent red. He was pacing behind it as they entered, talking rapidly into a headset.
     
     
"We need to move on this within twenty-four. Up or down, no in between. I've got the outline, the projections, and the Q- factor. Let's wrap it up."
     
     
He gave a come-ahead gesture with a hand glittering with gold and silver bands.
     
     
While he continued to talk and pace, Eve sat in one of the tiger-striped chairs and studied him. He was posing for her, she had no doubt of it. So, she'd accommodate him.
     
     
He was artfully dressed in a tunic jacket and pants, both the color of green grapes. His hair was a dark magenta, worn long and sleek around a narrow, deeply carved face. His eyes too closely matched the shade of his suit to be natural.
     
     
Like his fingers, his ears glittered with gold and silver bands.
     
     
About six two, Eve judged-with the heeled sandals and well turned out for his type. Took his body seriously, she imagined, and enjoyed showing it off in fancy duds.
     
     
Since he was working hard to show her what a busy, and important man he was, she assumed he was neither.
     
     
He removed the headset, smiled at her. "I'm so sorry, Lieutenant